More than 1,000 patients living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Iceland will receive free treatment, thanks to a new deal made between the country’s Ministry of Health and Gilead Sciences, which will supply the medication as part of a nationwide research study, the Iceland Monitor reports.

Under the agreement, the Icelandic health care system will receive free medication for 1,200 people, in exchange for conducting a large-scale population study on the effects of treatment. Experts point out that the deal will essentially affect every single person living with hep C in Iceland.

In addition, every Icelander diagnosed with HCV over the next few years will receive the option of education, treatment and follow-up treatment under the new program. Health officials said they were hopeful that treating such a large percentage of the affected population at once would help prevent the virus from spreading further.

Gilead’s deal with Iceland is similar to an agreement the pharmaceutical company made with the country of Georgia earlier this year. Under that plan, the pharmaceutical company aims to cure up to 25,000 people living with hep C as part of a case study on the viability of eradicating viral liver disease in certain populations.